Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts and Minister Josepha Madigan T.D with business participants Emmet Scully, Managing Partner, LK Shields, Adrienne Harrington, Chief Executive, The Ludgate Hub and Martina Westphal, Managing Director, BHP Insurances beside artist James Kirwan’s installation, Portal to a Vague Place. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

We are delighted to announce the three artists who have been selected to participate in the AR Programme. The AR Programme is a partnership between Business to Arts and the Creative Ireland Programme’s National Creativity Fund, working with businesses to develop new (or significantly enhance their existing) CSR activity. The AR Programme covers a broad spectrum of activity, with programmes involving community engagement, staff engagement and work-place creative activities by the host companies and artists.

The AR Programme will see the following activity take place:

• SOAR (success overcoming all resistance) is the ‘LK Shields AR Programme’ taking place in Galway city. Theatre practitioner James Riordan has been selected to work with Access Students in NUI Galway, and members of LK Shields staff, facilitating performance-based and education-based workshops. The aim is to help participants develop leadership, presentation and collaborative skills. Learn more here.
• Harmony is the ‘BHP Insurances AR Programme’ taking place in Limerick city. Concert pianist Máire Carroll has been selected to work with families living in the Mid West Simon Community Family Hub. Máire will also work with BHP Insurances staff, facilitating performance-based and education-based activities and workshops. The workshops are designed to develop appreciation of music among all participants. Learn more here.
• Calling Home is ‘The Ludgate Hub AR Programme’ taking place in Skibbereen. Local Artist Toma McCullim will work with Skibbereen Luncheon Club, Community Day Centre and Community Hospital and members of The Ludgate Hub staff. This programme of activity uses technology to connect older diaspora across the world with their peers in West Cork. Learn more here.

For any queries or more information, please contact Eileen.

Business to Arts is commencing a second round of the 24-month Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland programme in partnership with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland will offer two cultural organisations 50% part-funding toward the employment of full-time ‘Fundraising’ or ‘Marketing & Fundraising’ human resources over a 24-month period. The recruited Fellows will be supported by a structured programme of training and mentorship with Business to Arts as part of the Fellowship. The aim is to equip the recruited fellows and their cultural organisations with skills to build fundraising capacity in their organisations.

Grants will be for a maximum of €15,000 per annum over a 24 month period and are aimed at part-subsidising the cost of full-time or contracted (minimum two-year) Fundraising or Marketing & Fundraising Executive.

For Business to Arts and the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, the overall objective of the Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland is:

• To continue and enhance prior investment by national and regional cultural organisations in the development of human resources and capacity building
• To create stronger cultural organisations who are committed to long term sustainability, based on business minded planning and a cultural strategy
• To facilitate cultural organisations in gaining knowledge so they can leverage and increase resources in a long-term and sustainable way thereby maintaining and improving their longevity
• To address the 6 key barriers identified in the 6-year review of New Stream programme review 2016 http://www.businesstoarts.ie/newstream/

Druid Theatre, Cork Film Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival (under Fundraising Fellowship Dublin in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company) are organisations currently completing the programme. Past participants under Fundraising Fellowship, Dublin include Helium Arts, Temple Bar Gallery + Studies & Fishamble: A New Play Company.

For full details & to apply please click here.

Fundraising Fellowship, Ireland is a partnership between Business to Arts & the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.